High on Life

High on Life is a first-person shooter that isn't afraid to mix the absurd with the bizarre, and it does so in a style that clearly distinguishes it from other titles in the genre. Developed by Squanch Games, the studio co-founded by Justin Roiland (co-creator of Rick and Morty), this game bears the hallmarks of irreverent humour, dialogue that breaks the fourth wall and characters that seem straight out of a comic book. If you enjoy games with crazy mechanics, fluid combat and a narrative that doesn't take itself seriously, High on Life may be just what you need.

A World Invaded by Alien Drugs

The premise of the game is as ridiculous as the original. In the near future, Earth has been invaded by an alien organisation called the G3 Cartel, whose main purpose is to use humans as drugs. That's right, these aliens see humans as the equivalent of a joint or a line of cocaine, and our task is to stop them from continuing their nefarious operation. This is where the protagonist comes in: a young human girl without much ambition who, armed with a talking gun (yes, guns talk), decides to embark on a mission to save the world.

This set-up places us in a sci-fi world saturated with colourful aliens, strange planets and an atmosphere reminiscent of a zany space adventure comedy. What really makes High on Life shine is how it combines its ridiculous narrative with traditional shooter mechanics, all accompanied by weapons that talk, and A LOT. Your weapons, known as the Gatlians, are characters in their own right, each with their own personality, dialogue, and combat style.

The Gatlians: Your Arsenal with Attitude

One of the most fun and original features of High on Life are the living weapons. They don't just shoot, they talk to you, comment on situations, make jokes and even give you hints on what to do next. Each Gatlian has its own personality. For example, Kenny, the first gun you get, has a very "Rick and Morty" vibe, with sarcastic banter and dialogue that seems improvised. Later on, you'll unlock weapons such as Gus, a kind of alien shotgun with a calm and relaxed voice, or Sweezy, a sniper who throws acidic remarks at every opportunity. This approach not only adds a layer of constant entertainment, but also helps to keep the combat dynamic fresh and varied.

Weapons also have special abilities that integrate with combat and exploration in a very fluid way. Kenny, for example, can launch a "Glob Shot" that allows him to deactivate obstacles and manipulate certain elements of the environment, while Gus has the ability to use his shot as a hook to move to inaccessible areas. These mechanics mean that the game combines the shooter genre with elements of platforming and puzzle solving, offering an even more complete gaming experience.

Non-Stop Humour

If there is one thing that defines High on Life, it is its unbridled humour. From the very first minute, you are immersed in a world full of absurd dialogue, off-colour jokes and ridiculously funny situations. The humour is very Rick and Morty-esque, so if you're a fan of that kind of content, you'll feel right at home. The weapons are constantly talking and commenting on what is going on around you, and the NPCs also contribute hilarious dialogue that sometimes seems improvised. Of course, the humour won't be to everyone's taste; if you don't enjoy dialogue that borders on the grotesque or bizarre, you could quickly get tired of High on Life.

However, for those who enjoy chaos, humour and crazy sci-fi, the game offers some of the most memorable moments we've seen in the shooter genre. From the ridiculous dialogue with characters who don't really matter to the number of jokes about gaming's own clichés, High on Life knows how to keep up the pace of an absurd comedy.

In terms of gameplay, High on Life is solid as a shooter. The combat mechanics are quite nimble and the combat against hordes of alien enemies is intense, but with a sense of continuous fun. The Gatlians are not only weapons with personality, they also offer mechanics that diversify combat. As you take on enemies, you must constantly switch weapons and strategies, which keeps the action going.

The environments are colourful and full of detail, full of little nooks and crannies to explore and hidden secrets. As a semi-open world game, you are free to move between different planets, each with its own alien fauna, architecture and challenges. The mission structure takes you through diverse environments, from neon-filled alien cities to desolate deserts and alien laboratories full of strange creatures.

The level design includes a good mix of combat, exploration and puzzle solving. Thanks to the abilities of the weapons, there is a certain level of verticality to the map, and you will often find yourself returning to previous areas with new tools to unlock previously inaccessible areas.

Memorable bosses

The boss fights are another highlight. Each boss has its own unique mechanics and fighting style, which makes the battles unique and entertaining. Not only do they require you to master the rhythm of the game's combat, but they also often involve a touch of humour and absurdity, from mocking dialogue to situations you wouldn't expect in a typical boss fight. These confrontations add a lot of personality to the experience, and while some of them are not particularly difficult, they are very entertaining.

Technical Aspects and Visual Style

Visually, High on Life has a vibrant and unique aesthetic. The alien planets are full of colour and life, with creatures and landscapes that look like something out of a science fiction comic book. The cel-shading graphic style gives it a distinctive touch, making the characters and environments look like a mixture of video game and animated series. Although the graphics are not state-of-the-art, the art design is good enough to compensate, making the game feel fresh and visually appealing.

Performance-wise, the game runs fairly smoothly on most systems, with some slight frame-rate drops in very chaotic situations, but nothing that ruins the experience.

Conclusion: A Fun and Psychedelic Journey

High on Life is a unique experience that combines solid shooter mechanics with a huge dose of absurd humour and wacky science fiction. While its irreverent tone may not be for everyone, players who enjoy witty dialogue, weapons with personality and frenetic combat will find much to love. While the game does not reinvent the genre, it offers a fresh and fun approach that stands out from the rest for its originality.

If you're looking for a shooter that doesn't take itself seriously and is full of laughs, action and quirky characters, High on Life is definitely an experience not to be missed.